Teens
TEEN EDUCATION & CREATION HUB
The TECH Lab - A space for teens to come in, hang out and use 21st century technology to create exciting projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math. THE TECH LAB IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE TIME BEING EVEN AS THE LIBRARY REOPENS. PLEASE CHECK THIS PAGE FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON WHEN THE TECH LAB WILL BE OPEN AGAIN. WE APOLOGIZE, AND HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
Summer Reading
May 11- July 25
Summer Reading is now live and open for sign-ups! Teens can sign up for the program by clicking here. Just follow the directions on our READsquared page and you’ll be up and running in no time! Teens can join the program and earn points through a variety of activities, and then spend those points on raffle tickets for a variety of prizes. Teens can earn points by reading (1 point for every minute of reading) or by completing missions in the program. We are going to be adding many missions and activities throughout the summer, so be sure to check both your summer reading profile as well as this page to see what we have planned and how to earn extra points!
Important Dates for Summer Reading:
Register, complete missions, and read for points: May 11-July 25
Prize Pick Up: Starts July 27. This INCLUDES participation prizes this year, due to public health concerns.
Current Missions
(Complete missions to earn an extra 500 points in Summer Reading!)
String Art
Teen Origami
Parks
Teen Take Away Kits
Remote Dungeons & Dragons
Teen Reading Mission
Teen Writer’s Block
Quick Links
Click here to sign up for Summer Reading
Click here to see the complete Prize Catalog
Click here to see the Level Hierarchy
Teen Events
We have a lot of things going on at the library, so here's a quick list of all of our upcoming events. Scroll down the page to find more info on the program you're interested in, or call us at 696-8538.
- TECH Lab Artist in Residence
- Featured Program: Online Summer Camp: Puppetry!
- 1,000 Cranes of Hope
- Teen Take Away Kits
- Online Book Group
- Teen Video Challenge
- Remote D&D
- Teen Advisory Group
- Teen Book Group
Test Prep E-Books
Getting ready to take the SAT or GRE? Just need some extra help with geometry? Want to be a firefighter or police officer? Then check out the library's new collection of digital reference books for test prep and study help! All of the titles are free to access and download. All you need is a library card! See our selection, and get studying.
TECH Lab Artist in Residence
Interested in being the TECH Lab's next Artist in Residence? Have some interesting skills you want to share? Or maybe just interested in working with teens, and making some extra money for it? Contact Cody at 696-8538 or e-mail him at allenc@ci.billings.mt.us.
Featured Program
Online Summer Camp: Puppetry!
July 20-31
Time TBD by Group
We all know a puppet or two: Kermit, Lambchop, Pinocchio, Yoda…and now you have the chance to make one of your own! This class combines at-home creation with online instruction to explore basic methods of puppet creation that not only includes construction, but tips on how to make them work and creating a character as well. Join Rocky Mountain College professor Jayme C Green for this intro into the world of Puppetry! This will be a two-week online camp in which teens will pick up a free puppet kit from the library and then attend online classes hosted by Jayme as they learn how to build and control their puppet. Please email Cody in the TECH Lab at allenc@billingsmt.gov to sign up. Dates and times for the camp will be posted on the teen page of the library’s website as soon as they are available. We are limiting this camp to 12 participants, so sign up today!
Upcoming Programs
1,000 Cranes of Hope
Starts July 1
Drop-off at TECH Lab
Practice patience and create a symbol of hope by adding to our display of 1000 origami cranes. This creation, called senbazuru in Japanese, will combine origami cranes made by people across Billings. Make as many cranes as you wish, 1 or 100! Once we have 1000, all contributions will be strung together and displayed at the Billings Public Library!
Drop off cranes in the TECH Lab starting July 1st
Monday — Friday, 2pm – 5:30pm.
Visit http://www.janm.org/education/resources/ for a video tutorial of how to fold an orizuru (the Japanese word for origami crane).
Pick up a Teen Take-Away Kit for more origami fun!
Contact Cody in the TECH Lab for questions at allenc@billingsmt.gov
Teen Take Away Kits
Available at Curbside Pickup
While Supplies Last
The TECH Lab is offering a new program that allows teens to take a bit of the lab home with them! Teen Take-Away Kits are free STEAM-based activities that can be done at home and are yours to keep! Items are provided, along with instructions, for a simple activity. Current Kits include a Rube Goldberg Challenge, Coding with Beads, and a Mini Indoor Garden! Complete your kit and use #2020TECHLabTeens when posting photos online.
Teen Take-Away Kits are available to pick up from the Billings Public Library’s curbside service starting Wednesday, May 27. Just ask for them when you arrive! One kit each per teen.
Participating in Summer Reading? Teen Take-Away Kits can earn you extra points!
Current Available Teen Take-Away Kits:
- String Art: Use cardboard, string, and push pins to create your own work of art!
- Mini Indoor Garden- Use this garden starter kit to plant seeds and see them sprout! Choose from basil, lettuce, or marigold (limited supplies, available on a first-come, first-served basis).
- Origami- Learn how to fold three different origami animals, and then help us create a 1,000 paper crane art project at the library!
Contact Cody at allenc@billingsmt.gov with any questions or if you need multiple kits.
Teen Online Book Group
Starts in June
Time/Day TBD by group
We are going to have an online book group for teens at the end of June. We are going to use Freading, a free digital service from the library for digital books. Time, date, and book are still TBD (we will pick a good time and day for the group once everyone is together), but you can email Cody in the TECH Lab at allenc@billingsmt.gov for more info or to sign-up. We will post updates for the group and what we are reading to the teen page on the library website, so be sure to keep an eye out!
Teen Video Challenge
June 1-Aug. 7
The Teen Video Challenge is put on by the Collaborative Summer Reading Program and is a part of our summer reading program this year. Teens can create a short video (no more than 60 seconds) explaining their interpretation of this year’s summer reading theme of "Imagine Your Story." 5 winners will be chosen and receive a $200 cash prize, as well as $50 worth of material for our library! Participants can also complete a mission in their summer reading account to earn bonus points to buy more digital raffle tickets! To learn more or submit a video, visit the CSLP Teen Video Challenge page.
Remote Dungeons and Dragons
Starting in May
Day and Time determined by group
Just because the library is currently closed doesn’t mean that we can’t keep having some grand tabletop adventures! The TECH Lab is looking to start a remote weekly session of Dungeons and Dragons, so interested teens can contact Cody by email at allenc@billingsmt.gov for more info. Once we have enough interested teens we will figure out a day and time that works for everyone, as well as the best way for everyone to meet remotely to play. No experience is required, we’re just looking for some hearty adventurers to play from the comfort of their own homes!
Teen Advisory Group
Teens who are 13 to 19 years of age can apply to be part of our Teen Advisory Group - the TAG. The TAG advises the library about programs for teens, helps promote services, and volunteers at the library.
Volunteering at the Library
Are you looking for ways to spend your free time? The TECH Lab is looking for 16-18 year old teenagers to help lead and mentor younger teens in the lab during open hours. Volunteers need to be interested in technology, willing to teach and learn alongside other teens, and be in the lab for a minimum of 4 hours per week. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, or just give back to your community! For more information, contact Cody in the TECH Lab. Submit an online application..
Looking for a good book?
Check out these great reads.
Suggest A Title
Is there a teen title you would like to see in the Library's collection? Submit your suggestion online.
Local Teen Interviews Architect of Billings Public Library
Katelyn Bauer interviewed Will Bruder, the architect for the new Billings Public Library building,
and used the TECH Lab equipment to edit the video together. Way to go Katelyn!